Drug Court program starts in Gordon County
07/29/08
Susan Kirkland
Gordon County’s first five participants in the Cherokee Judicial Circuit’s Drug Court were inducted in a court session Friday, as presiding Judge Scott Smith offered both stern words and encouragement.
While the situations that brought the inductees into Smith’s court could be negative, for those who worked for three years to bring the court to Gordon County, it was a great moment.
"I knew in my heart, we’d get this program," said Jan Hammond, founder of Citizens Against, the group credited with initiating the effort. "This is a boost. It’s not depressing."
"A lot of people think this is a waltz through the court system, it isn’t," Smith told the court. "It takes a big commitment on your part."
The program requires participants to attend intensive counseling, remain employed, meet curfew requirements and undergo random drug testing. They see the judge once a week, alternating between Gordon and Bartow counties, but will meet with other key people in the program frequently.
Those include supervisory officers Daniel Morrison and George Angel with Gordon and Bartow sheriff’s departments, probation officer Todd Apock, assistant DA Richard Hale, public defender Samil Patel and counselor Bruce Overance. Program coordinator Melissa Knight, the program’s only full-time employee, runs the day-to-day operations.
The program is a minimum of 18 months and as participants meet certain milestones, they gain more freedom. If they break the rules, as one participant from Bartow County found out, there are consequences.
That inductee missed curfew the same day as he was inducted. Smith ordered him to remain in jail until Sunday, then report Monday morning to his counselor and the program coordinator. He was also sentenced to 20 hours community service.
"The alternative is prison," said Smith. "Trust is the key to this program. You are going to make mistakes because you have to redefine your life. Now is the day to make your decision."
Participants pleaded guilty to their charges, and Smith sentenced all of them to five years in prison, but suspended the sentence for probation, with drug court a condition.
"Our goal is to produce a person who can return to society," said Smith.
The inductees told Smith their drug use meant they lost their families, their jobs and lives and they wanted a chance to get straight. One participant was a first offender who can petition the court to have the charges expunged if he successfully completes the requirements.
"Studies show that 70 to 80 percent of the people who graduate from a drug court program don’t re-offend in the next five years," he said.
Smith said there are two things participants must do in order to succeed: they must do what they are asked to do and must be on time.
The program is funded through grants, which pay the costs of coordinator. Fines and fees paid by the participants also contribute, but donations and generosity from the community can’t be overlooked, Smith said.
CAM donated office furniture for the counselor. Smith’s office space was donated by DFACS. The Gordon County Board of Commissioners agreed to fund office supplies.
During a speech Thursday to the Calhoun Rotary Club, Smith said long-term operations of the Drug Court would require funding from Bartow and Gordon county governments. “We currently have enough funding for one year of operation,” he said.
Smith said the program would have now more than 20 participants during the first few months but has the potential to handle 60 to 70 participants.
Several family members cried when participants agreed to the conditions of the program and Smith addressed them too. "Family support is very important,” he said, telling them that the program would involve their participation as well. "If they do not have family support, they aren’t going to make it."
Hammond said she was grateful for the community backing their organization to bring the court to Gordon County. When asked if she would be in court every Friday with the participants, she smiled.
"I’m going to try," she said.